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Overview

The inherent challenges of round-robin tennis mean during this phase of the ATP World Tour Finals fans frequently find themselves puzzled, searching around for a calculator and trying to work out the complex qualification scenarios. However tonight’s match between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is straightforward. It’s a straight shootout: the victor earns a semifinal contest against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the loser is eliminated.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the world No 3 is the more experienced competitor, has previously won at this event previously on two instances and is ahead in their direct encounters 6-3, having won both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.

However … this particular court on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the bulk of his trophies, he is full of confidence after his compelling comeback against Ben Shelton on midweek and he defeated Zverev in the US Open third round in late summer. Plus, conditions are faster in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which is even more beneficial in the Canadian's favor.

If the German player is reserved, like he was against Sinner, and the Canadian presses the German with his powerful serves and fearless play, there is a strong chance the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was once in line in front of Alcaraz and Sinner to replace the tennis icons – who secures the uncertain distinction of facing the top-ranked player tomorrow.

Action commences: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7.30pm GMT.